The social media star, whose real name is Felix Kjellberg, posted a comic strip manipulated to supplant Lovato's face over the face of a child who's asking for money to buy a cheeseburger (the post has since been deleted). Eventually, in the doctored image, the Lovato cartoon asks for money to buy heroin, instead.

"Deleted meme. I didnt mean anything with it and I didnt fully know about the situation. I realize now it was insensitive, sorry!" he wrote.

But fans weren't eager to accept the contrition, and took the YouTuber to task.

"Damn boy, you stay apologizing huh? You’re a grown man, one of these days you’re going to have to start learning from your mistakes or we’re going to have to learn that you’re just an insensitive person that continues to not think before he speaks/acts/films himself," one follower wrote, while another noted: "Still it’s no excuse. Addiction is no joke. Imagine if it was your friend or family member. You wouldn’t be happy with people laughing about it and making jokes online. Have some respect."

"Demi is awake and with her family who want to express thanks to everyone for the love, prayers and support. Some of the information being reported is incorrect and they respectfully ask for privacy and not speculation as her health and recovery is the most important thing right now," the statement read.